Devon Family Business Brickhouse Vineyard Open Their Doors

The latest Devon vineyard to produce Award winning wines to a local market will launch on May 22nd 2018. Brickhouse Vineyard opens its doors for small weddings, venue hire, corporate client entertainment and wine tasting events, following a major restoration project of its C18 ‘Horse Gin’.

Producing over 1000 bottles of wine a year, Brickhouse Vineyard is a small family run business set amongst 20 acres of beautiful Devon countryside.

Matt Szczepura, co-owner of Brickhouse Vineyard, explained:

“Over the last few years, we have undertaken significant improvements to the vineyard, discarding unproductive vines and planting new varieties more suitable to the local climate. We intend to increase the production and we are aiming to add sparkling wine to our collection. We are one of the very few vineyards in the UK to produce Sauvignon Blanc wine and we are delighted to have won Bronze for our 2016 vintage in its very first wine judging competition.”

Brickhouse Vineyard offers a secluded and private refuge from the hussle and bustle of life. Only a few miles from the A38, the venue is tucked away in a very peaceful valley, overlooking rolling fields of Devon countryside towards the coast. The venue will offer ‘elopement’ and intimate weddings, wine tasting events and venue hire for corporate and private functions.

The logic behind the offer is quite simple; create an oasis of calm for small events of up to 50 people and put in place everything they could need to enjoy a stress-free event. The venue lends itself to hire by local organisations for workshops, AGMs or ‘away days’ when you want exclusive hire and no distractions.

Matt added:

“This is such an idyllic place, we wanted to create a venue which celebrated simplicity and enhanced the beauty of our location. Using local materials, we have completely renovated our beautiful stone built, beamed and thatched ‘Horse Gin’ overlooking the vineyard. The views are amazing.”

Elopement and small weddings are on the increase and are especially popular with young couples wishing to avoid the expense of the average wedding; same sex couples looking for a more private event; second-time marriages looking to focus on the ceremony in a more romantic setting.

As the cost of the average British weddings hits an all time high of over £27,000*, many couples are opting for a simpler approach. ‘Elopement’ weddings cost less than £1000 and take considerably less time to organise. Brickhouse Vineyard can take away all the stress by providing everything a couple would need to turn up and enjoy their wedding.

Jo Szczepura, co-owner, commented:

“We can arrange everything from witnesses to wine! We will work with you to organise a bespoke package tailored to your requirements including flowers, photography and catering – all the couple have to do is book the Registrar.”

Brickhouse Vineyard launches in 2018 by holding two invitation-only launch events for local businesses and wedding suppliers featuring a vineyard tour, wine and cheese tasting and delicious canapes reception made from locally sourced ingredients.

Brickhouse Vineyard is owned by Jo and Matt Szczepura, who bought it in 2015 when they moved to Devon from London. Facilities include wi-fi, audio visual equipment and free parking.

The vineyard produces over 1000 bottles of Rose and Sauvignon Blanc per year. The 2016 Sauvignon Blanc won Bronze in the latest South West Vineyard Association Awards. New vines have been planted with the intention of increasing production, although sales will still be limited to events and wine tasting at the vineyard.